Pastor Olukunle Abraham Akinosun is the President of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide. In this interview with Senior Correspondent, Aramide Oikelome, he speaks on the crisis in CAC, the deal with the late Prophet Obadare and what the church is doing to end the crisis. Excerpts:

How long have you been on this seat as the president of CAC?

About two years now. I spent one year as General Superintendent before becoming the President.

What are the current challenges facing your administration on the unity of the church and how are you tackling them?

Since assuming office, I have faced several challenges, but none has been tougher than the power and enablement of our God. We have overcome them all. Glory be to God. If I start recounting how they were overcome, that will mean that I am ascribing the power to overcome to myself. But we thank God that the labour of our founding fathers on the unity of the church is not in vain. However, in 1990/1991, the leadership of the church then took bold steps to do some re-organization to instill sanity in the church. Some erring pastors then had to be disciplined. This did not go down well with some people and they took steps against the actions of our leaders.

They went to court and up till today, the case is in the Appeal Court. On March 1, 2011, there was a Federal High Court judgment, which recognized the General Executive Council as the only authentic authority in the affairs of CAC and its constitution in 1998. With that judgment, there is no other body recognized anywhere as the authority of the church. On our own part, we are praying for the erring ones and those outside of the fold to come back. We are being patient to enforce the ruling because we believe that as brothers, we should be able to solve this problem within ourselves. But like I said earlier, whether the devil and his human agents like it or not, our church will become one again.

Since you assumed the position of President of Christ Apostolic Church, how would you assess your set goals and the achievement recorded so far?

We give God all the glory for the achievements recorded so far. Though there are achievements in terms of the goals I set on assumption of office, most of the goals are ongoing things. For instance, I promised to continue developing our university, Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), this is ongoing, considering the capital-intensive nature of university establishment. We want to give glory to God, our university was rated No 1 of private universities and 11^th in Nigeria, and we have over 60 professors in JABU.

The special area of the university is entrepreneurship. When we were processing the establishment of the university, and NUC saw our programme and enforced it on all other private universities. The professors there are not new; they are retired professors. Because of that we have highly experienced lecturers.

Besides, the developmental projects in the church’s camp at Ikeji are also ongoing. My promise to develop staff through academic training and spiritual development is also ongoing. Our ministers now have opportunity to develop themselves academically through the university and our seminary. The re-organization of the church administrative structure is also on-going. We have done serious re-structuring in a bid to be more efficient and effective administratively.

I also promised to develop more income-yielding ventures, very soon this will manifest for all to see. The CAC TV project will soon materialize by the grace of God. What is delaying it is that we are fine-tuning all the loose ends. As soon as we are satisfied that we have tightened the loose ends, we shall take off. When we do, it will be clear to everybody that we know our onions.

But I must confess that the only area where we have had some challenges is the issue of CAC unity. Much as I promised to unite the church factions and I actually took steps that I consider humanly possible to achieve this, it seemed that some people are not interested in peace. They double-crossed us at every point and throw spanners in the works. But I know with prayers, God will unite the church.

What is your vision for the church?

Whenever I get somewhere, I’m not always comfortable until I leave that place better than I met it. In all my works in the past 40 years in all the areas I have worked, I have left them better than I met it that is my vision for the church. I am sure that when I leave the office, it will be better than I met it in all areas- talk of ministers, laymen, departments, etc all of those departments are going to be better than I met them.

By the grace of God, we are marching forward to greater glory. We shall continue to develop the prayer camp at Ikeji and all the developmental projects we have lined up will be accomplished to the glory of God. We shall continue to do our utmost best to see to the resolution of the 23-year old conflict in the church. Besides, we shall continue to look for, and establish alternative sources of income for the church.

Some of the church leaders are being called one name or the other by their members, this they do to show that these leaders are well respected. Is this not idolization? 

General, district or regional overseers are biblical. But titles like your holiness, is like taking the position of God for oneself. I cannot bear such a title. There is Daddy GO or Papa, they call us Baba, though Jesus Christ said never call anyone your father but that is different from when you say somebody is your Baba. What Jesus said was that they should not arrogate the power of their creator to anybody, because they have only one father in heaven that cares for every need of His children.

How would you react to the recent trend in which young men are assuming the position of G.Os in churches?

It is a welcome development if the following conditions are met: a) the person who is the G. O. is truly a born again Christian; b) the Church is properly established; c) the motive is purely to expand Christ’s kingdom and is not for selfish or carnal intent. The last one is if the G. O. is genuinely called by God. I said this because it is not all churches that are properly established. Some churches are founded by taking away members from established church to form a new one, where the new founder, who might have served in that established church, now calls himself a G. O. That kind of church cannot be said to be properly established. You need to start on a clean slate.  That is the biblical way of founding a church. The new G. O. may also be motivated by desire to have his own empire. That motive is selfish and contrary to the main motive of preaching salvation in Christ. Some G. O.s are goaded into that position by members of the church who tell them it is high time they established their own church. Such people are called by the members and not God. It is normal for people to obey their masters. Whoever calls a minister dictates to him the rules of engagement, that is, he will give him instructions to follow. Where self-aggrandizement calls a person into the ministry, you don’t expect anything less in that ministry than to fulfill that desire. But where somebody is on fire for God, you will see it in his actions. By their fruits you will know them. The young G. O.s should be genuine and no matter how good they are, they must have their own mentors to whom they report for mentoring from time to time.

What do you have to say on the state of the nation?

Our nation is in a very delicate state at the moment due to the selfishness of our politicians. As long as our politicians remain in power, they don’t care a hoot what happens to the people they are purported to be governing. They are always concerned about being in power. But for goodness sake, is the main essence of power not in caring for the interest of the people? But in our own case, our politicians begin to think of the next election immediately after they get to power. They leave the needs of the people unattended to. This is improper. The polity is heated up now because politicians are locked in agitation over which part of the country would produce the next president. They are not focusing on issues that affect the people.  They are not offering alternative ideas on how best to solve the insecurity plague currently blighting our nation. Nobody is concerned enough to give us solution to the epidemic of kidnapping. Violent crimes are currently a malaise in all parts of the country, yet this doesn’t concern our politicians, neither is the issue of irregularity of power supply and the problem of youth unemployment their worry. The nation needs politicians who think first about the people.

The post CAC ‘II reunite through God’s intervention –Akinosun appeared first on Daily Independent Nigeria Newspapers.

Jamaican-born gospel music icon, Chevelle Franklyn, was apparently excited by the popularity of her songs during her performance at the ongoing Calabar Festival.

The crowd had chorused every hit track as she entertained them at one of the festival’s segments tagged: Voices of Paradise, which held at the Millennium Park, Calabar.

Franklyn, who emerged on the gospel music scene as one of the most outstanding ministers of music of the 21^st century, performed alongside wonderful dancers that moved the wave of praise to every corner of the arena.

The spectacular performance by this multiple award-winning Psalmist of international repute, proved to the crowd her worth as a songwriter/producer and vocal capacity singer.

The visiting musician was not alone at the elevated show; the event also featured Nigerian gospel musician and renowned saxophonist, Mike Aremu. Aremu, noted for his jazz gospel music style gave a sterling performance that was greeted with excitement.

The programme also featured choral competition by church congregations in Calabar and other choral groups, who sang, danced to the popular mantra that ‘Christ is the reason for the season.’

Other gospel artistes who ministered in songs were Marvelous Odiete and C’Mion.

The post Chevelle Franklyn, Mike Aremu show class at Calabar Festival appeared first on Daily Independent Nigeria Newspapers.

By Yinka Shokunbi

Aquafina’s cholera campaign at Alayabiagba market

Cholera is an infection of the small intestine caused by the bacterium, Vibrio cholerae. The main symptoms are watery diarrhoea and vomiting. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking water or eating food that has been contaminated by the faeces (waste product) of an infected person, including one with no apparent symptoms. Severe cholera, requiring hospitalisation, results from the accumulation of about a million bacterial cells within the body.

The severity of the diarrhoea and vomiting can lead to rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, and death in some cases. The primary treatment is oral rehydration therapy, typically with oral rehydration solution, to replace water and electrolytes (Wikipedia).

As a way of educating and enlightening consumers on the deadly nature of cholera, a beverage company in Nigeria, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, producers of Aquafina table water, has been taking the cholera awareness campaign to several markets in Lagos metropolis.

Market women and men are taught the symptoms, prevention and treatment of the disease which has claimed so many lives since its outbreak a few weeks ago in the state.

The company premised its campaign on ensuring healthy lifestyle among consumers, encouraging all to drink only clean and safe water whose sources can be guaranteed, and prevent avoidable fatality as a result of cholera.

The initiative was put together to complement government’s efforts in the fight against the recent cholera outbreak in some parts of the country.

At Alayabi Agba Boundary Market in Ajegunle, Lagos, business activities stood still when the health team arrived the market to educate the people on the prevention and management of the disease.

Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Optimal Health Care, Lagos, Dr. Femi Olaleye, who partnered with Seven-Up Bottling Company, said the initiative was one of the company’s ways of reaching out to the people on personal hygiene and healthy lifestyle. His words: “The campaign is our way of kicking out cholera from our environment and that is the reason we say ‘Cholera Has No Place in Nigeria’.”

Olaleye described cholera as a disease of the intestine which could be caused by any of the six Fs: fingers, flies, fruits, food, faeces and fluid.

He advised all consumers to always wash their hands and fruits before eating, cover cooked foods to avoid flies, flush the toilets after each use and avoid passing faeces in open places. In addition, he advised them to drink well purified water or boil water before drinking.

The roadshow truck also moved round other parts of Lagos to further spread the message to the general public.

In appreciation of the visit of Aquafina Kick Out Cholera team, the Market Leader of Alayabi Agba Boundary Market, Ajegunle, Ibrahim Nda, described Aquafina as a worthy partner, saying the visit to the market has opened the eyes of the traders to the likely causes of cholera and how to prevent it.

Traders at the talk were given free bottles of Aquafina table water, educative flyers with messages like: “Cholera Has No Place in Nigeria”; “Join the movement to kick cholera out of Nigeria” and other Aquafina freebies.

Other markets visited are: Ilasa market/community, Mile 12 market, Ijora market and environs.

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By Onche Odeh 

The result of a study conducted on slaughtered cattle in parts of Nigeria have revealed the presence of multiple antibiotics in slaughtered cattle for beef, indicating apparent misuse of the drugs.

After the discovery of indiscriminate antibiotic use in ready-for-slaughter cattle in South West Nigeria, Charity Agada and colleagues at the Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine department at the University of Ibadan (UI) evaluated 90 tissue samples from randomly selected slaughtered cattle for oxytetracycline and penicillin-G residues using high performance liquid chromatography.

In their study published in Vol 84, No 1 (2013) of Journal of South African Veterinary Association (JSAVA), they found residues of oxytetracycline and penicillin-G in the kidney, liver and muscles at significantly high levels.

This, according to them, confirms recent antibiotic administration to the animals before slaughter. The researchers pointed out that although the concentrations in the tissues screened were below the maximum residue limits despite being administered before slaughter, “the lower concentrations are suggestive of the probable low dosages often administered by those involved in indiscriminate use of antibiotics.”

This, they said, “therefore raises serious concerns for the livestock industry as well as human health, given the resultant emergence and spread of resistant strains of bacterial pathogens that could ensue from prolonged use of low dosages of antibiotics.”

An earlier study by Abdulsalam I. Ibrahim and Abdulkadir U. Junaidu, both of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usman Danfodiyo University Sokoto, and Muhammad K. Garba of the institution’s School of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, found multiple residues of penicillin, tetracycline and streptomycin, in slaughtered cattle (50) that were randomly selected over a period of four weeks.

From the slaughtered animals, a total of 100 samples (50 liver and 50 kidneys) were screened, revealing the presence of residues of various types of antibiotics.

This situation, according to the authors of the research featured in the Internet Journal of Veterinary Medicine (Volume 8 Number 1), reveals a different trend from what previous research studies found.

They say although the presence of antibiotic residues in liver and kidney is similar to other findings in Nigeria, the results are different, as previous studies only detected single antibiotic.

From the Sokoto study, antibiotic residues were found more in the liver (in 22 of the screened samples amounting to 44 per cent) than in the kidney (six of the screened samples amounting to 12 per cent).

“This could suggest that most samples were taken at the time when drugs were been metabolised in the liver not yet at the stage of clearance by the kidney,” Ibrahim and colleagues stated in their study, suggesting that the antibiotics are most often administered close to the time of slaughter.

Making reference to the result of their findings, the veterinary experts noted that antibiotics are often more misused in Sokoto than areas were similar studies have been conducted in Nigeria. These include South West and North Central.

“There might be a general increase in the abuse of veterinary drugs in the country,” the animal researchers stated.

That cattle transported from Sokoto to other parts of the country carry less of the residue may not mean less exposure to antibiotics, as the researchers said, “It is likely that some cattle treated in Sokoto excrete the pharmacologically active compound during transit to South West, South East and North Central Nigeria with resultant less antibiotic residues.”

According to them, the multi antibiotic residues detected in meat from slaughtered cattle intended for sale to the human populace in Sokoto could be attributed to irrational use of drugs in food animals, due to lack of regulatory system for veterinary drug use and control as observed previously.

They also said it could be the result of non-adherence to withdrawal periods for the antibiotics used.

“The concerns over drug residues are public health and economically related,” Ibrahim and colleagues noted.

“Drug and pesticide residue concerns are among the reasons adduced for Africa’s denial into European and American livestock markets.”

They said the palatability, aroma and quality of meat could be affected by drug residues, while also linking it to some of the allergies people suffer from eating meat.

“Residues of food animal drugs threaten human health by being acutely or cumulatively allergenic, organotoxic, mutagenic, teratogenic or carcinogenic,” they stated.

According to them, violative residues of penicillin are the most frequently cited causes of allergic reaction in persons that consume animal products containing residues, stating also that many other drugs including tetracyclines, sulphonamides and aminoglycosides can also cause allergic reaction.

The researchers, however, noted that “Since anti-microbial misuse and its consequent effect are not just a problem limited to Nigeria but also a concern in sub-Saharan Africa, the need for national and international stakeholder intervention is emphasised.”

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Dear Agatha,

Please help me out of this mess my foolishness on my bachelor’s eve put me into.

You know how it is with men. My friends, in the spirit of the day, organised a party for me. As is the custom at such farewell party, I was given a girl to sleep with that night. It was meant to be my parting gift to bachelorhood. 

Unfortunately, less than six weeks into my marriage, the lady I spent that night with came to my office last week to announce that she’s pregnant. I can’t deny the lady because something tells me she is telling the truth. Besides, I made the costly mistake of not wearing any protection that night, even dismissed her warnings that she was unsafe.

My state of mind that night wouldn’t have permitted anything else. I just had to sleep with the lady. In the first place, apart from being the prettiest woman there that night, I was tipsy. I simply wasn’t thinking straight that night. Since telling me her news, I have not been myself, especially as she insisted she wasn’t ready to abort the pregnancy. Being her first pregnancy since she became sexually active, you can imagine the kind of sentiments she has deployed into this pregnancy.

According to her, she isn’t sure of being able to get pregnant again. 

There is nothing my friends have not done to influence her to get rid of the pregnancy, but she insists on keeping it, declaring that she really doesn’t need me to provide for her and the child. According to her, she simply wanted me to know that I have a child somewhere, and nothing more.

Frankly, those who know her all agree that she isn’t the kind of woman that sleeps around or looking for a man to tie down. But what do I tell my wife? How do I explain to her that another woman is pregnant for me six weeks into our marriage? 

Since we started dating three years ago, she has never been pregnant. It was even one of the reasons I caved in to her pressures to get married when we did. She was afraid I may end up not marrying her after all she did for me. She used money form her parents to set me up. The least I could do was marry her since the doctors we went to in Nigeria and England certified us medically fit to have children.

I am fearful of her temper. She is capable of doing anything out anger or jealousy. If she discovers I got another woman pregnant, she will not only kill me but the woman as well. She is that terrible when provoked. When I told my sister, she said I should plead with the one carrying my baby for help in concealing the identity of the father of her child, but my elder brother insists I inform my wife about it; his argument is that it can be better managed now than if my wife gets to find out later. Both of them agree that this child is a gift from God which I shouldn’t reject. 

How do I handle this situation without ruining my home? 

Gbade.

Dear Gbade,

Granted every child is a gift from God, but it was very silly of you to have gambled with your future – marriage, dreams and everything that has to do with your person – to sleep with a stranger without any form of protection.

What if she gave you an incurable disease; the kind that would cut short your life span? What would you be telling your wife; your story and excuse for infecting her withsuch a disease?

Adulthood is about being responsible, considering first how our actions would affect those close to us before taking a decision. No matter how drunk you were, you knew the risk of sleeping with a woman without taking precaution as well as the risk that comes with it in your marriage.

How would you feel if the proof of your wife’s infidelity is presented before you as you are about to do to her? One thing is to be unfaithful, another is for her to have physcial evidence of your unfaithfulness.

Sincerely, you are about to present to her a very bitter pill; one that will be difficult for you to explain as an accident, given the challenges you are both having as a couple. There is no way she won’t think you planned it; as a fall back option in case she is unable to give you a child.

And the more you delay in telling her, the more difficult it becomes to explain things to her. Besides, you are risking someone else telling her before you. The moment she gets to know from a secondary source, you will never be able to convince her that you didn’t mean to keep the information from her.

Not only would it destroy trust between both of you forever, it will also make her hate the child more than she would ordinarily have.

In addition, the guilt of keeping such a big secret from her will never give you the absolute freedom to be the kind of husband you should be.

Besides, problems are best resolved when still fresh. By telling her now, you are giving your marriage and wife ample time to heal and recover from the shock. Also, it will help make up her mind early on how to relate with the child.

Giving her the right to decide on whether the child should stay with the mother or with you will further convince her that you are not out to use the child to humiliate her. Even if she is unable to bear you a child, assure her that this child and the mother will never push her out of your life.

However, before telling her, go to her parents to inform them about it. Don’t attempt to hold anything back from them; give them all the details that led to you getting this lady pregnant. The reason for this is to manage the opposition from her friends to your marriage. Once you are able to explain to them yourself, settle whatever disappointment they would naturally feel at this development; by the time she comes to them with the story of your unfaithfulness to her, they won’t fuel the crisis by giving her support to end the marriage; rather they will find ways of encouraging her to stay and make the marriage work.

You also need the help and support of her close friends. Involving all these people is to ensure that your young marriage survives this. Often, friends influence one’s reactions and decisions. If she isn’t getting the kind of support and condemnation she expects from family and friends, she will be forced to discuss all the other options to this issue with you.

Also, it will tell her how much you want this marriage and the fact that she doesn’t have a monopoly of this kind of challenge in her marriage.

One thing you must also never do is to exclude her from whatever is happening to the child and mother. To achieve this, put her in charge of communicating with the woman and the baby. Whatever the mother of your child wants or has to tell you should be channelled through her at least for the time being.

The essence of involving her is to give your marriage the chance to survive, and you the time to build your emotional invulnerability to this woman. Having made a costly mistake before, you must do everything to guard against you making another mistake.

Seeing her pregnant with your child may soften you enough to continue what you unwittingly started on your bachelor’s eve. Therefore, it is best you remove yourself from temptation’s way.

Also, putting your wife in charge of the welfare of the child at this very early stage will not only achieve the aim of communicating your lack of interest in the mother, but also give you the opportunity to access how well your wife has adjusted to the presence of this child. Her attitude will help you determine what kind of provision to make for the child in future.

But a word of caution: if your wife is unwilling to take on the responsibility, please don’t force or get angry with her. This kind of news takes time for any woman to asssimilate or tackle.

It is a sore that will take forever to heal; so endure and understand any attitude she puts up. Remember, you called for it. Only the grace of God can make the difference in your marriage.

Good luck!

The post My bachelor’s night fling is pregnant for me appeared first on Daily Independent Nigeria Newspapers.

L-R: MI, Seyi Law and Bovi

In spite of the heavy downpour in Uyo last Sunday evening, residents of the beautiful city thronged the Amazing Grace Plaza, venue of Africa’s biggest comedy show, Glo Laffta Fest, to catch the most exciting comedy fun ever in the city.

Organizers of the event, Globacom, paraded Africa’s best comedians and musicians who thrilled the overflowing crowd with rib-cracking jokes and scintillating music.

The Glo Laffta Fest dubbed Invasion L.O.L. paraded 12 Nigerian comedians, three music icons, East Africa’s finest comedian and an upcoming artiste, Vnissi, with the juke box tendered by the Nigeria’s most decorated female DJ, Dj Nana.

All the artistes on parade at the show gave a good account of themselves as they put up spectacular performances that confirmed why Nigeria is rated as the home of Africa’s entertainment.

Joke merchant, Basketmouth, led a cast of equally talented and influential comedians. In his opening salvo, Basketmouth shocked and awed the audience with how he would instruct M.I.C to conduct his burial after a glorious life, rocking his “caski” to hip-hop music with bouncing dance steps.

From the “notoriously” funny 2CanTalk, who came on stage in a clownish woman’s wig, to SIM Card, Seyi Law, Buchi, Gandoki, the home boy, Okon Lagos, Okey Bakassi, the world wide bishop, Gordons, Akpororo  and Bovi, the audience were treated to a night of hilarious and endless laughter.  Buchi, who took the baton of jokes from Seyi Law, was very spontaneous as he took the audience to the spiritual realm with his “end-of-the-year-prophecies”. Comically but in a tone reminiscent of a trendy Pastor, Buchi moved from one person to the other, telling his imaginary congregation the “vision” he saw concerning their lives. He ended with  a clincher and asked the congregation to “sow a seed to the life of the man of God.”

Akwa Ibom born Okon Lagos received a standing ovation as he introduced his new wife to the crowd and laced his jokes with his native Uyo dialect. His funny facial expressions and comical mannerism were as remarkably witty as his jokes.

The comedy sessions were complemented by Burna Boy, MI and Wande Coal who spiced the evening with top Nigerian songs.   All the three acts got the audience dancing and singing along with them.

Speaking with journalists after his performance, MI, popularly known as MR. Incredible, said that it “was one of my best show ever. This platform, I mean the Glo Laffta fest is one that any artiste hat is worth his or her calling as a musician will want to be. Am happy to be part of this great show and am more grateful to Globacom for bringing me closer to my numerous fans here in Uyo”.

Also speaking in the same vein, the Uyo home boy, Okon Lagos said “I was thrilled by the show of affection to me by my people and how they responded to my other colleagues that performed this night. It is not easy to be in your own place and appreciated the way the audience did and I have Globacom to thank for this and I wish and pray that Globacom keeps bringing shows to Uyo because my people appreciate the company”.

Summing up her experience after the show, Dr. Eunice Iniobong Bassey of the Akwa Ibom State Health Management Board said that she would have felt bad “if I did not attend this show.”

“I missed the earlier Glo show, the Slide & Bounce because of work and when I got the invite for tonight’s show, I said to myself that I must not miss it. Globacom has raised the bar not only with its services, but in the entertainment circle.  Indeed, it is a good thing that a Nigerian company is this fantastic. Kudos to Globacom for making the night exciting,” she said with  a smile.

From the first edition that took place in Lagos, the Glo Laffta Fest has berthed in cities such as Abuja, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Benin, Abakaliki and the train moves to Asaba, Delta State this Sunday

The post Glo Laffta Fest: MI, Salvador, Seyi Law, Okon Lagos, Bovi, set Uyo aglow appeared first on Daily Independent Nigeria Newspapers.

By Isaac Olamikan/Benin

Valeo Osaigbovo Osagie

Valeo Osaigbovo Osagie has spent eight years in Nollywood and within that period of time he has achieved more than he probably would have if he had followed his dream of been a lawyer.

The product of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, has God and Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen to thank for the good tidings.

Though, he trained as a Mass Communicator but becoming an actor/producer has not been any regret, being happy it has made him to be fulfilled. He recalled that convincing his parents that acting is a decent and lucrative business was not an easy task especially at the initial stage.

“Entertainment gives you the kind of recognition that you can never imagine worldwide,” he stated.

On his most challenging movie, Valeo said that every production has its own peculiarities. Thus, describing a production as the most challenging is a matter of choice.

“What my boss (Lancelot) normally tells me is that whatever challenges you see at a particular time is preparing you for a greater tomorrow.

“Challenges are bound to come it is your ability to absorb them that makes you who you are,” he submitted.

Valeo came into Nollywood with the intention of becoming an actor but curiosity made him to end up knowing virtually all that the movie world has to offer viz acting, producing, coordination, designing of sets and props, directing, costumier, make-up etc.

He has been on set with Nollywood top acts like Olu Jacobs, Oge Okoye, Ngozi Ezeonu, Bob Manuel-Udokwu, Hans Anuku and a host of others.

He advised those interested in coming into the movie world to do an initial study and have a good grasp of the industry before taking the plunge.

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Femi Kuti performs at the Bayelsa intl jazz festival

FANTASTIC! This word aptly describes what happened at Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State where the first edition of Bayelsa State International Jazz Festival was held last Saturday.

Sleep was murdered in Yenagoa as sound of cymbals, trumpets, percussions, pianos, flutes, guitars and sonorous voices ruled the night. The show featured an impressive line-up of world-class acts, including the revered South African jazziest, Hugh Masekela and Nigeria’s Afrobeat King, Femi Anikulapo Kuti whose elevated performance at the show could have been inspired by his recent nomination for the Grammy award, a feat he is enjoying for the fourth time in ten years.

Although the show which the organizers, Bayelsa Tourism Development Agency started planning two months ago, had had fixed template, it was immediately adjusted to commemorate the memory of former South African President, Nelson Mandela, who passed on last Thursday.

South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lulu Mnguni, who was present at the show, noted Nigeria’s support for Mandela’s struggle for freedom saying “His life is a life to be celebrated, hence it appears we are not mourning, but celebrating with Nigeria who didn’t leave the trenches during Mandela’s struggle for the liberation of the South African people from colonialism and apartheid.”

Prior to the performances by these two giants – Anikulapo Kuti and Masekela, support acts like Ego Ogbaro (Nigeria) Somi (USA), Bright Gain (Nigeria), Gangbe Brass Band (Cotonou), Lekan Babalola and the Afro Jazz Messengers (UK), created a steady rise of the show, with a tempo that took fun seekers to the much anticipated climax.

In all, the carnival-like concert which increased business activities around the Gloryland Cultural Centre got music enthusiasts dancing till the early hours of Sunday.

With the festival Bayelsa is joining states like Lagos, Rivers and Cross River to give Nigeria a plausible music identity of global colouration.

A show like the Cape Town International Jazz Festival in South Africa, is a major tourism earner that brings about 34, 000 visitors to that country annually, same goes for the Joy of Jazz Festival which holds in Johannesburg every year.

Babalola’s folktale-like signature tone set the mood for an evening of home ‘delicacy’. He had jammed with the Eko Brass Band, leading the way for high pitch trumpeting and a skillful dexterity as a traditional percussionist, singing familiar tunes like Iya Ni Wura, a popular Lagos Island song.

Following Babalola’s act were performances by Daniel Isele, a multi-instrumentalist from Benin, who paved the way for another great treat from the seven-man band called Naijazz All Stars. The group, whose members came from the UK, U.S., Nigeria and South Africa, was another set to behold.

But just before Masekela lifted his trumpet, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, who apparently had foreknowledge of the old man’s art conferred on him, an honorary citizenship of Bayelsa State. The governor who also adding Ezokene to the names of the South African musician, said he was honouring him for “historic visit to Bayelsa and his long time commitment and dedication to African music.”

The honour came with a certificate and symbolic plaque, containing ‘the crest and colour of Ijaw nation.’

Masekela who expressed his gratitude for the honour, said he was adding a prefix, Iringbemi (a Yoruba word for sojourn’s fortune) to his new name.

Spotting a Niger/Delta attire, the musician sprang into action, dazzling the crowd with his multiple vocals, varying pitch, trumpeting prowess and hilarious dance steps, unusual of a man his age.

His performance continued with Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s classic, Lady and Orlando Julius hit, Asiko, confirming his place as a versatile African musician. Perhaps there couldn’t have been a better way to wrap his show than the Bring Back Nelson Mandela hit, which got the crowd dancing and cheering excitedly.

When Anikulapo Kuti climbed the stage, it was mixture music and jibes. The newly nominated Grammy hopeful reeled out songs like Beng! Beng! Beng! For which he was nominated for the Grammy awards in 2003 and No Place for My Dream, his latest which earned him the latest nomination.

He would pause once in a while, just to throw little banter, decrying bad leadership in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general and the crowd will respond with thunderous cheers while asking for more.

Part of the revelation of the night was the governor’s announcement of an initial take-off grant of N200 million, for the Bayelsa State Music Foundation. The fund, which is expected to be managed by the Bayelsa State Tourism Development Agency, was presented in cheque, to notable Bayelsan singers like Timaya, Timi Dakolo and newly crowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) who is also an official tourism ambassador of the state.

The post When Masekela, Femi Kuti came to Yenagoa for jazz fest appeared first on Daily Independent Nigeria Newspapers.

By Yinka Shokunbi

L-R. Director Registration and Regulations, Mrs. Monica Eimunjeze, Chairman, Lagos State Medicine Dealers Association, Felix Ugbajeaku and DG Nafdac Dr. Paul Orhii during media parley on recent arrests in Lagos..

Each time the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) makes the news, it is mostly for predictable reason, that a fake drug dealer or syndicate has been smashed or arrests made.

“In actual fact, each time NAFDAC comes up for mention in the news, one can predict what would be said,” according to Prinscilla Omede, a student nurse on intern at the Military Hospital, Lagos.

Until April 12, 2001, when former Director General, Prof. Dora Akunyili was appointed to revamp the hitherto prostate agency, many Nigerians did not know that the government organ was once occupied by two men, George Baptist (who pioneered the agency) and Prof. Gabriel Osuide who incidentally was Akunyili’s teacher.

The former two did what they could to put NAFDAC on the right track, but like a former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Anthony Aikhimen once said, “Nigeria really got herself entangled in the phenomenon called fake, counterfeit, adulterated and unwholesome products in the time of President Ibrahim Babangida (1985- 1993) with the introduction by government of the infamous import license for all imported goods, including drugs, and with it, the course of the history and development of the pharmaceutical industry was altered,” he said.

According to him, “Many people who had no business with drugs and pharmaceuticals got the licenses and became importers, while pharmacists, genuine manufacturers and importers were denied access to foreign exchange or forced to repurchase the import licenses from those whose plants and offices were located in their brief cases.

“With the introduction of this regime, the drug importation and distribution system in Nigeria became chaotic. The country’s markets were flooded with all sorts of fake/counterfeit and substandard products,” he submitted.

The war against fake, adulterated and unwholesome foods, drugs and cosmetics is therefore not new but prior to Akunyili’s tenure, incidences of fake drugs had assumed such a frightening dimension that there was hardly any Nigerian home where a tell-tale effect of fake drug was not recorded.

By the time Akunyili declared her mission in 2001 to rid the nation of merchants of fake and adulterated drugs and actually began to reposition the drug agency, it was obvious Nigerians would experience a lot of wars as many drug merchants had emerged and become entrenched in every space called open drug markets across the six geo-political zones of the country.

From Idumota and Mushin in Lagos State to Sabongari in Kano State, Onitsha Head Bridge in Anambra State, Beji market in Niger State, Ariaria market in Abia State, Dugbe in Ibadan, Oyo State the list is endless, but the mode of operation remains the same open air display of drugs in very unsuitable conditions as well as unsanitary storage in stuffy shops and dungeons, are what characterizes the system of open drug markets spread across the country.

However, since taking over the mantle of leadership of NAFDAC on January 13, 2009, the current Director General, Dr. Paul Orhii has not hidden his disdain for merchants of fake drugs whom he often tagged: “Merchants of death.”

In an interview with Sunday Independent, Orhii said, “If anyone had been opportune as I was, to work in an organized setting as obtained in civilized countries like the US where health is treated with value and human lives are treasured, one would not but feel the disdain for those who profits in killing and maiming fellow humans as we see in our country.”

It is for this reason that Orhii right from the first day, declared, “I am on a mission to build on what I found on ground and to take it to the next level, to bring international standards to bear, so that NAFDAC will be comparable to international food and drug regulatory agencies anywhere in the world like the US, Canada and Britain.”

He said he chose to remodeled and re-structured the infrastructure he met on ground “which were the needed foundation my predecessor put in place, to enable the fight against the fake drug menace through using modern technology and tools in line with international standards.”

According to Orhii, “The terrain of drugs manufacturing and drug distribution all over the  world is a very  profitable venture because there is no one human being that would not at one time or the other make use of a drug or its product, hence it is a huge financial business,” he noted.

Although the practitioners of the trade, pharmacists under the aegis of PSN have continually faulted NAFDAC’s approach to fighting the merchants, “by merely chasing after them, confiscate their wares, set them out on trials which often take forever to accomplish rather than out rightly demolish all open drug markets which are the illegal outlets in the first place to make these men and women understand that government is truly against their illicit business,” observed Olumide Akintayo, President of PSN.

But Orhii has always been quick to respond explaining, “With the recent crackdown on illicit narcotic trade, most of the drug barons have now diverted their resources to manufacturing counterfeit medicines. Globally, the business is worth about $75 billion annually. That is the quantity of fake drugs circulating internationally; it is more globalised and with the former hard drug barons now entering the business, it has become more militarized. It is now more dangerous fighting counterfeit drugs. Now they are more sophisticated.”

During the last Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group of MAN’s (PMG-MAN) international exhibition in Lagos, Orhii declared for the umpteenth time how unwise it would be to clamp down on open drug markets without providing alternatives.

“Although we have started to commission a number of drug marts of quality and international standards which is the ideal, but the fact remains that these are still largely insufficient and that is why we are encouraging private partnerships with drug manufacturers, business entrepreneurs to go into the venture to save our future from these merchants of death.”

As the agency continues its clamp down of importers of fake drugs from China and India and lately Pakistan (most often concealed in disguised manners), it has recently uncovered a new method by the merchants in which they now engage in local manufacture of the fake and substandard as well as counterfeits and engaged unemployed youths to market the stuff in neighbourhood patent stores.

The DG who led a raid to Idumota, precisely to a drug dungeon was shocked to discover how prescriptive medicines, mostly first line antibiotics were stored in unsanitary manners.

Of note was the discovery in the house of one Chijioke Nwagu Victor of No: 25, Elemijaye Street, Shibiri Ajamgbadi who manufactures and supplies counterfeited drug medicine called, Tutolin with Codeine cough syrup in his toilet at his two-bedroom flat. He was alleged to have a network of persons including one Uzodinma Odoemina and Chisom Onwudinjo who assist in distribution and sales to unsuspecting consumers.

Some of the most faked, adulterated or counterfeited drugs that were seized from various raids in recent times include Strepsil Tablets, Augmentin Suspension, Dispirin, Septran, Bonjela, Cicatrin, Dettol, Ampliclox, Amalar tablets, Norgesic tablets, Artesunat, Swidar among several others.

Aside drugs, the DG warned that as the yuletide is around the corner, consumers must be awaken to the realisation that the “merchants of deaths are desperately now on the loose to make profits from the illicit trade to enable them go to the villages to celebrate their ill-gotten wealth; hence everyone needs to pay attention not only to the drugs but food items as well to be purchased for their people back home and for personal use.”

As part of the recent accolades showered on the DG on the efforts to sanitize the drug situation, former OAU Secretary General and currently the President of PAX Africana, a Non-Governmental Organisation on Drug Trafficking, Edem Kodjo, commended Orhii for his reputation as the global leader in the war against drug counterfeiting and efforts to increase access of Nigerians and other Africans to good quality, safe and efficacious drugs.

According to him, Dr. Orhii’s emergence as the Chairman of the World Health Organisation’s newly established 193 Member State Mechanism (MSM) on suspicious, substandard, falsely-labeled, falsified and counterfeit medical products has given a lot of hope, joy and pride to Africa in area of food and drug regulation world wide.

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Alex Ekubo

When you meet this young actor, the first thing that strikes you is his confidence. Although, he tries to stay humble.
Alex Ekubo is a young actor who is steadily becoming the most popular face in movies. Last year, he was named the most promising actor. Before then, he featured in both movies and television dramas. Asides his talent, what also works for him is his good looks and a body to-die-for.

“I am not the most talented actor out there”, he says, “neither am I the best looking. There is a biblical scripture that says ‘the race is not for the swift, neither is it for the strong but of Him showeth mercy’.  It is humbling and encouraging that God has set me apart from my peers,” he said.

This response certainly tells a lot about who Alex is. One wonders if he is only pretending like most of his colleagues do. Ask him if his handsome face has contributed to his swift rise to stardom, and Alex is quick to answer, “I cannot take away the fact that this is show business and people would like to see people that are easy on the eyes on TV. It has but it is more of talents than good look because there are a lot of people that have got good looks but they do not all make it as actors. Talent is paramount. You see a lot of people that are not good looking and are great actors and you see them winning awards and getting endorsement deals. It helps if you are good looking as well. It’s a good complement to talent.”

Any average man would like to be in Alex’s shoes, especially when it comes to the opposite sex. Ladies flock around him anytime you see him. However, Alex reveals he plays it cool adding that God has been helping him in his struggle against distractions. “It takes the grace of God. I am not distracted or carried away. I try to be as calm as I can be. I make sure I let the word of God guide me, so that I do not fall into pride because a lot of women are chasing me,” says Alex.

That however does not mean that crazy fans will not try to break through his defences. Alex reveals that he had been mobbed many times by ladies. “They have done a lot of things that I cannot say here. Ladies have sent me all sorts of messages; I have received all manner of nude pictures. It has been very crazy. It could get distracting when you are in the middle of work and you check your phone to find the picture of a nude lady in it. But by now, I am getting used to it. It all comes with the job. It is not embarrassing to me again. I am used to ladies’ attention right from when I was a young boy. I learnt something from a senior colleague. He told me that ladies are in love with the image of me on the TV and not with me as a person. Until you find the one you love, the rest are just snowballing.”

In the next few months more of Alex’s works will be out. He featured in the TV drama called Married to the game where he played a married doctor. He is in the just released movie, Lagos Cougar. He is also in the yet to be released movie called Gold digging produced by Rukky Sanda.

Despite his passion for acting, one would not know that he is actually a lawyer. He never practiced, but went straight into acting career after school.

“Acting is my passion. I studied law and I also have a diploma in mass communications but somehow what the heart wants, the hearts wants. I found my way back to television, which is what I have always wanted to be in my life,” he says.
So what are his plans for the future?

“I don’t like to make plans for the future. Getting to where I am now is by the grace of God. When you start planning you find out that things change. We don’t know tomorrow. Tomorrow you might wake up and get hit by a bus. You can also wake up and win a million dollars. What I can do is to wish myself more success and more growth in the industry. The sky, I believe, is the starting point,” Alex said.

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L-R: Lemar Kendrick, Maria Carey and Wyclef

As the year draws to an end and Christmas beckons, one development which has taken over the Nigerian music industry is the in flock of foreign artistes.

From Wale, to Lemar Kendrick, Maria Carey, Wyclef Jean and many others the list is endless.

While Carey was in Lagos on Saturday, December 14, to entertain at a dual event which served as Access Bank’s end of year party and the send forth of the bank’s Managing Director, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Wyclef came into town as the headline artiste for Harp Rhythm Unplugged, an event which held on Sunday, December 15.

The duo of Wale and Lemar Kendrick are also not left out of the party as they are expected to light up Lagos today as they performance in the Rap, Rhythm and Rhymes show which is put together by Aeroplay Entertainment.

While other Nigerian acts such as P-Square, Dbanj, 2face, Wizkid, Flavour, Davido, Banky W, Burna Boy, May D, Iyanya, Olamide, Ice Prince, Dr Sid Omawumi, Waje, Sean Tizzle, KCee among others are expected to be supporting artistes in these events one question observers has been asking is why are organisers of these shows flooding the country with foreign artistes to headline their shows. Is it that the our artistes are not good enough, or are they not big brands that can sell an event of this magnitudes?

One of the biggest and most successful shows that have been planned and executed in Nigeria remains the Guinness World of More Concert, and despite the fact that the show did not parade any foreign artiste it was enjoyed by a lot of people.

The success of the Guinness World Of More Concert and other held prior to it has left a lot of people wondering if there is really any need for these foreign acts in shows taking place in the country.

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By Onche Odeh 

For bread makers in Nigeria, these are not the best of business times.

It has been a season of lamentations by the Master Bakers, who say their businesses have slumped since the last five months due to the exorbitant cost of baking flour.

National Chairman of the Master Bakers and Caterers Association of Nigeria, Simeon Abanulor, who spoke in an interview with Sunday Independent on the plight of the bakers since a new policy was created by the government to establish a special fund from special levies charged on imported wheat flour, said a large number of bakeries have closed shop because of the high cost of wheat flour.

The Cassava Bread Wealth Development Fund was created from 15 per cent additional levy charged on imported wheat flour to discourage wheat importation and encourage the use of cassava flour in bread making.

So far, the government has announced that an initial N10 billion would be released from the fund to help Master Bakers and other intended beneficiaries, identified within the cassava value chain.

But after its creation in July, the Master Bakers and other value chain stakeholders have said they are at loss on whether the fund would ever benefit them.

The Master Bakers are saying the waiting period for the policy to start has become almost endless, adding that it has left them impoverished.

Abanulor said, “20 per cent of master bakers have closed shops because of high cost of flour.”

“Now, we buy a bag of wheat flour between N6000 and N7200, which is above what it used to be. Some with three lines (producing morning, afternoon and evening) have reduced their lines to two or one, while so many jobs have been lost because business has been so bad for us,” he said.

The Master Bakers said they have been given until January for equipment supplies and other benefits that will ease the pains currently being encountered by them, but Abanulor said this period of waiting has left them with little hope.

“We thought we are being the patient dog but this seems to be making us hungry. The minister said the deadline for machine supplies is 20^th January 2014. But this is not the first time they are giving us deadline. I have been asking a lot of question. Some bakers are accusing me of being bribed. They say either drop that 15 per cent levy so that the flour millers can go back to the former price or make the wealth funds benefits available to us,” he said.

The Master Bakers Association is a body consisting of 450,000 bakers across the country.

The association’s chairman said they are the second largest employers of labour, adding, “On the average, a bakery employs 15-70 staff. Any bakery that runs three lines must have not less than 20 staff.” This advantage for the country is threatened, as Abanulor said, “Some bakeries are now reduced to two or one lines.”

“Only what we have gotten is the training of 370 bakers by Federal Government,” he said.

He said, although a ministerial oversight committee has been created to look into the N10 billion fund, part of which is intended to support the master bakers with equipment, the story has remain far from expected for them.

“We have not seen any. The ministry has said the funds would be disbursed as 50 loan and 50 per cent grant for equipment. There is no problem.”

The bakers are, however, not comfortable with the choice of China as the source of the machines for mixing High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF).

“They have to get us European standard machines because if after paying 50 per cent and the machine goes bad, what will you do? In fact, we should be consulted. We can tell them the kind to buy. Those who have used machines from China have one complain or the other.”

The idea of a special fund for HQCF started about two years ago, sequel to the introduction of the 20 per cent cassava inclusion in flour for bread policy.

Stakeholders are, however, not comfortable that it has been delayed for so long after its creation was eventually announced in July.

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By Yinka Shokunbi

A new report released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has shown that obesity is currently on a rampage, with the health organization pegging the numbers of overweight at more than 300 million worldwide.

According to the report, with obesity comes the increased risk for cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, and hypertension.

In the current online edition of the journal, Human Brain Mapping, Paul Thompson, senior author and a UCLA professor of neurology, and lead author Cyrus A. Raji, a medical student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and colleagues compared the brains of people who were obese, overweight, and of normal weight, to see if they had differences in brain structure; that is, if their brains look equally healthy.

They found that obese people had eight per cent less brain tissue than people with normal weight, while overweight people had four per cent less tissue. According to Thompson, who is also a member of UCLA’s Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, this is the first time anyone has established a link between being overweight and having what he describes as “severe brain degeneration.”

That’s a big loss of tissue and it depletes your cognitive reserves, putting you at much greater risk of Alzheimer’s and other diseases that attack the brain,” said Thompson. “But you can greatly reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s, if you can eat healthily and keep your weight under control.”

The researchers used brain images from an earlier study called the Cardiovascular Health Study Cognition Study. Scans were selected of 94 elderly people in their 70s who were healthy not cognitively impaired, five years after the scan was taken. To define the weight categories, they used the Body Mass Index (BMI), the most widely used measurement for obesity. Normal weight people were defined as having a BMI between 18.5-25; overweight people between 25-30, and obese people greater than 30. The researchers then converted the scans into detailed three-dimensional images using tensor-based morphometry, a neuroimaging method that offers high resolution mapping of anatomical differences in the brain.

In looking at both grey matter and white matter of the brain, they found that the people defined as obese had lost brain tissue in the frontal and temporal lobes, areas of the brain critical for planning and memory, and in the anterior cingulate gyrus (attention and executive functions), hippocampus (long term memory) and basal ganglia (movement). Overweight people showed brain loss in the basal ganglia, the corona radiata, white matter comprised of axons, and the parietal lobe (sensory lobe).

The brains of obese people looked 16 years older than the brains of those who were lean, and in overweight people looked eight years older,” says Thompson.

It seems that along with increased risk for health problems such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, obesity is bad for your brain: we have linked it to shrinkage of brain areas that are also targeted by Alzheimer’s,” said Pittsburgh’s Raji. “But that could mean exercising, eating right and keeping weight under control can maintain brain health with aging and potentially lower the risk for Alzheimer’s and other dementias.”

The research was funded by the National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Center for Research Resources, and the American Heart Association.

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You can experience the liberation power of God’s word, if you are connected to Jesus. Your total liberty remains fake unless you are ready to engage the relevant weapons of liberation.

God’s Word says: …And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people…He will swallow up death in victory…God will wipe away tears from off all faces…for the Lord hath spoken it…(Isaiah 25:6-9). So, the captivity of mankind is traceable to the veil that is cast upon their faces.

God is saying that He will destroy the face of the covering that must have held you down in captivity (Isaiah 5:13, Isaiah 60:1-2). The Bible says: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32). Also, whosoever the truth shall make free, shall be free indeed (John 8:36). There is no partial deliverance of light. When light comes, darkness loses its grip automatically.

The devil’s mission is to block your access to the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, which will redeem your life from shame unto glory. But upon Mount Zion, there shall be deliverance (Obadiah 17).

In every spiritual conflict, this is the foundation of your victory. In Acts 19:15, the devil spoke through that demon-possessed young man: Jesus I know, Paul I know, but who are you? Every time you are confronted with demonic strongholds; that is the question they will ask. The knowledge of who you are is your source of strength in battle. In spiritual warfare, inner strength is the trigger for your victory.

The knowledge of who you are is the secret of your strength in spiritual battles. It is your spiritual repositioning in redemption that qualifies you for liberty. By redemption, you have been spiritually repositioned to enjoy true liberty.

Who are you? What is your identity? You are a citizen of heaven, seated in heavenly places, far above all principalities and powers and dominion, witches, wizards and occult forces (Ephesians 6:12). Redemption, according to Colossians 1:13, has changed your nationality and place of dwelling. You have been translated from satanic kingdom to God’s Kingdom.

The number one instrument of liberation that you engage in warfare is power, as it resides in His word. So, when you believe the revelation of the truth, it is converted into power for your liberation (Romans 1:16).

Two liberation forces inherent in the Word:

Divine light: The Word does not only enlighten you, it also turns you into a spiritual illuminant (John 1:1-5, 9). It is the heritage of light to destroy darkness. The spiritual understanding of the Word illuminates you, and sets you free from satanic attacks (Psalm 119:130).

Darkness and wickedness are the domain of the devil (Luke 22:53). Spiritual illumination is the answer to spiritual wickedness.

That is why abundance of illumination equals abundance of liberation from satanic forces. When light from the Word dawns on you in any area, you gain liberty in that area. Access to the light of God’s Word is your number one asset in the school of liberty. The depth of your revelation determines the level of your liberty.

The Spirit: Inside the Word is the Spirit of God. John 6:33 says: …the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63). The Spirit of God in the Word sets captives free. When this Spirit comes into you, He quickens your system and injects healing into your entire body. Wherever the Spirit of God is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17).

A vital weapon of the Spirit for conquest in spiritual battles: 

Angels: Angels are vital weapons for conquest in spiritual battles. They are agents of deliverance (Psalm 34:7). They are assigned for our deliverance (Hebrews 1:14). When we engage in battles in the heavenlies, angels are assigned to us for our deliverance. For instance, God sent His angels for the deliverance of Daniel (Daniel 6:22). The roles angels play have no substitute.

God assigned an angel to the Israelites to ensure their safe journey to the Promised Land (Exodus 23:20). When Peter was imprisoned, it was an angel that delivered him out of prison (Acts 12:6-10). Also, in the ministry of Jesus, angels played prominent roles (Mathew 4:11; Matthew 26:53).

You don’t wait for angels to come to you; you invoke their presence. Angels excel in strength, and they hearken to God’s Word (Psalm 103:20). God’s Word releases them, while your word makes them swing into action. Remember, angels are agents of vengeance (Isaiah 37:33-38). Don’t toy with them!

Friend, to benefit from angelic ministry, you have to be saved. You get saved by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as Your Lord and Saviour. If you are set for it, please say this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. From today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You for saving me. Now I know I am born again!

We shall be celebrating Christmas on December 25, 2013. Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season! I wish you and your family, Merry Christmas! 

Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, please get my books — Commanding The Supernatural and Walking In The Miraculous.

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Kcee was the main attraction on Saturday, December 15, 2013, as thousands of fans stormed the Eko Atlantic stretch, venue of the second Lagos Countdown to watch the popular singer perform some of his hit songs.

Kcee, whose current track Pull Over, is fast becoming a crowd favourite, like his previous hit song, Limpopo, mesmerised fans with his deft dance steps and sinuous moves.  A selection of female fans eager to also display their dance steps on stage to the teeming crowd also won N10,000 each from the generous singer.

The Star Beer Village has been a hive of activity since its official flag off on December 8, 2013. Terry G and DJ Neptune were among the notable artistes who have performed at the ongoing countdown with a number of other popular artistes lined up by the organisers to thrill consumers in the coming weeks.

The Lagos Countdown with Star officially kicked off at top tourist destination, Eko Atlantic, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island on December 8, 2013 and ends on December 31, 2013, with an exclusive star concert.

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By Yinka Shokunbi

Until about a week ago, many parts of the country had continued to witness rainfalls such that a lot of people were thinking if ever there would be the dry season for the year. Meteorologists have argued that the change was not unexpected as a result of the continued effects of climate change across the globe.

Many people across the country woke up in the week to the hazy, dusty and dry winds usually referred to as Harmattan, and then, it dawned on all that the season of care has come down on us.

Speaking to our correspondent on the implication of the weather on children especially Asthmatics and those with the Sickle Cell disorder, Former President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. George Okpagu said, “Harmattan is a period that mothers are especially advised to take utmost precautions about their children’s health and it is definitely not a time to expose the asthmatics to dust or environments of smokers or fumes because these are triggers that affect them and can be very dangerous.

“Likewise, Harmattan is a period in which Sickle Cell children can be affected by cold and could equally experience crisis; so mothers need to cover the children up or ensure they are well kitted with warm clothing and avoid mosquitoes which could give malaria too,” he said.

For the adults, he advised also that the period is a time to always make do with warm water and not excessive cold drinks to avoid dehydration.

The Harmattan is a dry and dusty West African trade wind. This north-easterly wind blows from the Sahara into the Gulf of Guinea between the end of November and the middle of March (winter). The temperature can be as low as three degrees Celsius.

On its passage over the desert it picks up fine dust particles (between 0.5 and 10 micrometres).

In some countries in West Africa, the heavy amount of dust in the air can severely limit visibility and block the sun for several days, comparable to a heavy fog. It can even break the trunk of the pine trees, growing in that region, through their dryness. The effect caused by the dust and sand stirred by these winds is known as the Harmattan haze, which costs airlines millions of dollars in cancelled and diverted flights each year, and risks public health by increasing meningitis cases. The interaction of the Harmattan with monsoon winds can cause tornadoes. Humidity drops to as low as 15 per cent and can result in spontaneous nosebleeds for some. The wind can cause severe crop damage.

Also speaking to our correspondent, Lagos Sector Commandant of the Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC), Nseobong Akpabio advised drivers to use fog light and wipers more frequently in the period especially for those who drive at night and early hours of the day as there is a lot of haze and fog which reduces visibility and may cause lights to dim unless the fog lights are on; road accidents are also very common too as a result of burst tyres resulting from the very hot roads and when tokunbo tyres made for winter climate are used at this time, it is very easy to experience burst tyres,” he warned.

He noted that the most affected parts of the country are the states in the North, “This is the time we advise drivers plying the northern roads to be extremely conscious and careful, to avoid night driving during the period, to limit accidents and lives that could be lost from such accidents”, he said.

He cautioned drivers on over speeding and frequent checks of tyre pressures which are prone to increase due to the heat of the daytime.

In the season of Harmatan, fire outbreaks are also common and experts have warned that people should be very careful in handling combustible objects and use of explosives around the homes.

“Now, doctors are on strike, it is a warning that all hands must be on deck to reduce the number of casualties that could occur at a time like this,” warned a respondent, Otiko Yemisi.

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•Ibadan takes centre stage today

Globacom on Sunday treated Asaba residents to an amazing evening of pre-Christmas fun with 15 best-in-class national and international artistes among the cast of the Glo Laffta Fest show that held the city spell-bound with a full dose of comedy and music.

The Asaba edition of the show, the ninth in the series of the 10-week funtainment packaged as part of activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the company’s operations, was held at the Orchid Hotel, Asaba, and was attended by a mammoth crowd of fun seekers drawn from the city and the adjourning towns.

The night of jokes and music was opened by top Asaba-based comedian, Frank D Don, who thrilled the audience with different jokes, the highlight of which was the mess a  stammerer got himself into while running a football commentary.

Odogwu, who came in next, got the crowd reeling with laughter after throwing nearly all his costume including his jeans jacket, red cap and beads to the crowd to arouse attention and applause.  But he later pleaded with the audience to return the same items to him, with a slight threat that “the beads are ritual objects”.

SIM Card, 2CanTAlk and Osama were just as funny in their delivery. Their jokes centered on Igbo and Niger Delta mannerisms.  Dan d Humorous’ performance jolted the crowd who rose to give the Port Harcourt based stand-up comedian a standing ovation for his ingenuity at “designing” an ATM that converses with customers in local languages.

The emergence of ace comedians raised the bar. Funny Bone, dressed like a Boko Haram member, threatened to blow the crowd with comics if they did not applaud him. Once he got his way, he treated the crowd to his rich repertoire of jokes. The legendary Okey Bakassi, told the crowd that Nigeria “is probably a comedy TV channel God watches whenever the Heavenly Father wants something to amuse Him”. The Uganda Prodigy, Salvador enthralled the audience with his Ugbokolo village experience and the “craziest of them all, Akpororo, was also very hilarious. He described his jokes for the night as “take away joke which you will remember maybe in the bathroom in two days’ time and you will say Akpororo is an idiot o!” The audience could not help but cheered continuously as the humour merchant dished out rib-cracking jokes.

The music diva, Chee The Voice, opened the music segment while Mr. Incredible (MI) closed the show with the best from his hot tracks.

Nigeria’s leading comedian, Basketmouth, who anchored the event, told the crowd, “This is a way Globacom is saying a big thank you to all of you for your loyalty and support for the Glo brand in the last ten years. Globacom is truly Nigerian and wants all Nigerians to be what they desire to be”. This elicited a loud applause from the audience with many saying that no other corporate body had ever given the residents of the city a world-class show like the Glo Laffta Fest.

With DJ XGEE dishing out music from the juke box, the Asaba crowd soaked themselves in the night of fun and entertainment as they entered the stage for a scintillating dancing competition won by Jenifer Smart, a Senior School Certificate holder who went home with a Glo Bounty pack.

Speaking after receiving her prize from the Glo Business Director Delta 2, Mr. Aaron Johnson, Smart said that she was elated.

“I feel I am just the best here tonight because I’ve just been adjudged as the best by the people,” she said.

Meanwhile the final edition of this season’s Glo Laffta Fest will hold today in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

The post Fifteen artistes thrill Asaba residents at Glo Laffta Fest appeared first on Daily Independent Nigeria Newspapers.

By Aramide Oikelome   –   Lagos

A non-governmental organization, Christian Conscience has restated its commitment to ensuring that a God-fearing leadership is enthroned in Lagos State come 2015, even as it thanked all those who stood by it in its advocacy work in the outgoing year.

In a statement by its Public Relations Consultant, Tunji Oguntuase, the group
stated that the need for a leader who has the fear of God in the 2015 governorship election in Lagos State cannot be underrated.

“We are confident that only a God-fearing leadership in Lagos State will deliver what the people want. We believe strongly also that a Christian who has the fear of God is needed to take Lagos State to the next level.

“Our confidence stems from the fact that Christians who are not just Christians on the lips have all that it takes to provide the necessary leadership in Lagos State come 2015.”

While stressing that the call for a Christian governor in Lagos State
was not born out of primordial sentiment, the group stated, “We
believe that for long Christians have been marginalized in the affairs of Lagos State.

“While it is worthy of note that the incumbent governor have performed creditably well in the last eight years we have no doubt that a Christian will improve on the feat of Governor Babatunde Raji
Fashola.”

The group thanked Lagosians who bought into its vision and who
gave generously towards its programmes and seminars in the out going year.

“We want to thank our patrons and
Lagosians in general who bought into the vision of Christian
Conscience and who have continually given us both moral and financial support in the course of the year. We pray that God will support you all in your endeavours.”

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By Aramide Oikelome  -  Lagos

Most Rev. (Dr.) Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos has once again admonished Christians against every sense of indecency especially as it pertains to dressing saying it does not only defile the body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit but also the soul because the thought of dressing so provocatively emanates from the inner person.

He said further that this malaise that is fast eating up the fabrics of our society especially among the youth could not have gone this far but for the encouragement given to it by some parents who not only encourage the trend for their children but are sometimes caught in the habit, all in the name of fashion.

The Archbishop who is fast becoming a foremost apostle of decency, made this known while delivering a homily on his maiden visit to St. Catherines Catholic Church Alakuko, a suburb of Lagos. He reiterated his utter distaste for indecency of all sorts, ranging from immorality, idolatry, incest and most abominably sexual immorality which he said manifests in indecent dressings and is engaged in by both sexes because they are a vexation to God.

“Indecent dressing, the act of appearing in dresses that are very offensive to the sight of right thinking persons in the society is outrightly abominable. This is because it can only emanate from dirty minds and with equally very dirty intention, hence the need for all genuine followers of Christ to ensure they are never identified with the shameful habit of people going about virtually naked,” he said.

Dr. Martins who also administered the sacred rite of Confirmation on more than two hundred faithful from the parish and its outstations of SS Raphael Ajegunle Ilo and Christopher, Ijaiye admonished that every Christian must always be seen as a true instrument of up building; not with destructive minds.

“You must bear and exhibit in totality the whole fruits of the Holy Spirit which you are receiving today. You must always endeavour to be bold and loyal to Jesus Christ whose army you are today confirmed to be as is the case with every other soldier.

You must refrain from such acts that will soil your character as per whose signet you are wearing because your light will now shine the brighter and you can no longer hide. Such indecent acts as sexual immorality, incest, idolatry and all other acts of darkness must not be found in you,” he admonished.

The Archbishop later blessed and commissioned the Grotto of the Lady of Lourdes built by the Confraternity of Christian Mothers and an evangelisation bus purchased by the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) of the Parish.

High point of the visit was the commissioning of the New Parish Priests’ house, a magnificent three-storey building put up by the parishioners.

Speaking at the event, the Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Thaddeus Okafor said, “He is grateful to God on this occasion, not just because of the completion of the project but also because it has proved to him and the entire parishioners that success comes only from God not on any man’s calculations.

“My joy knows no bound today because undertaking this project was with so much mixed reactions from many that felt that there is no space to take and the others that the Parish cannot possibly execute such a gigantic project. The good news is that some parishioners took up the challenge and waded into the project with great enthusiasm and joy, convinced the doubting ones and today we are celebrating this goodness of God in our parish.”

Corroborating Fr. Okafor’s stand, Chairman of the New Fathers House Fund/Building Committee, Chief (Sir) James Imhoede said over the years, the old fathers’ house which was hurriedly put together by late Rev. Fr. John Hannon to check-mate the acquisition of the whole land by Lagos State Government has for long become inadequate and uncomfortable for resident priests as well as visiting ones, hence the need for a new one.

“Our greatest challenge initially was space constraint. It is therefore unimaginable that a structure like this could emerge in these premises given this challenge but with the ingenuity of the Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Okafor and the dexterity of the Architect and talented engineers, we were able to optimally utilize this space. We undertook this project in May 2012 and resolved to finish it within 19-months. With the full support and determination of all parishioners who are fully aware of their responsibility to provide and take adequate care of their priests and given the profile of majority of our parishioners, I have no reservation in saying Glory be to God for this day.”

The general feelings of the faithful in St Catherine Alakuko was captured in the words of Greg Usiholo, Vice Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) who said, “To achieve what we are commissioning today came with a lot of sacrifices from all – Parish Priest, Associates Priests, the building Committee and parishioners too numerous to mention. This feat is worth celebrating considering that our community here is more of relatively struggling people; so a lot of sacrifices by way of time, talent, treasure and thinking was put into this project and above all else the grace of God, is what we are celebrating. Alakuko people are real, good people.”

Other dignitaries that graced the occasion include Chief Omo Aisagbonhi, Chairman/Managing Director of Omais Investment Limited, Mr. Godfrey Ohwofasah, Mrs. Oge Okeke, Mrs. Charity Okolie, Sir Charles Idinye, among others.

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The Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, has commended Nigeria’s leadership role in a significant commitment of $1 billion for investments in treatment, care and prevention for people affected by the diseases as part of the “Saving One Million Lives” campaign which began in 2012.

During the recent launch of the Global Fund’s fourth replenishment in Washington D.C, another $150 million was announced as new commitment by the country’s Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, giving Nigeria a prized position among other countries in significant contribution to the treatment of the health challenges of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in the country.

This year, as UNAIDS reported, low and middle income countries are for the first time providing more funding themselves for HIV than they are getting from external sources.

Four other African countries that also made pledges to the Global Fund include Kenya which pledged $2 million, Zimbabwe pledged $1 million, Malawi pledged $500,000 and Cote d’Ivoire announced it will contribute $ 6.4 million through the debt-swap Global Fund Debt2Health initiative.

According to the Executive Director of the Global Fund, Mark Dybul, “These pledges represent the commitment of African countries to fight the three diseases, not only through domestic and international financing, but also by directly contributing to the Global Fund.

“Through these commitments African countries are demonstrating that not only high income or emerging economies can contribute to an organization like the Global Fund. We are all in this together”, he observed.

Earlier, the Global Fund announced that its replenishment launch meeting had gathered $12 billion, a 30 per cent increase over the $9.2 billion in firm pledges secured in 2010 for the 2011-2013 period.

In Zimbabwe, an AIDS levy has increased significantly since the adoption of the multi-currency system in 2009, from $5.7 million in 2009 to $26.5 million in 2012. Projections indicate that Zimbabwe’s AIDS levy will grow to $33 million in 2013 to $47 million in 2016. Other countries in the region are considering emulating Zimbabwe’s model.

In 2010, Côte D’Ivoire became the first African country to benefit from Debt2Health, an initiative launched by the Global Fund to help generate additional domestic resources for health financing through debt swaps. To date, a total of €163.6 million (US$212.5 million) has been written off in swap agreements between creditor and debtor countries.

The Kenyan government has been working closely with UNAIDS, the Global Fund and PEPFAR to eliminate new HIV infections among children and keep their mothers alive. Since 2009, Kenya has reduced new infections among children by 44 per cent.

The Ministry of Health in Malawi, working with partners, created a new PMTCT strategy which they named “Option B+”. Under this programme, every HIV-positive pregnant woman, regardless of her CD 4 count, was started on lifelong ARV therapy.

In the second quarter of 2011, when Option B+ was launched, there were 1,257 women who had started ARV therapy. By the end of 2012, that number had increased to 10,882.

Each of these developments are separate pieces of an emerging trend toward greater investments in health, which coincide with rising rates of economic growth in many countries of Africa, now the fastest-developing continent in the world.

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